Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. It was introduced for the 2001 model year, around the same time as its competitor, the Toyota Highlander. The Santa Fe was Hyundai's first ever entry into the SUV market and was a major milestone in the company's restructuring program of the late 1990s. The Santa Fe, despite being criticized by journalists for its obscure looks, was a hit with the American buyers. Hyundai dealers were having a hard time keeping them in stock, let alone keeping up with demand. The Santa Fe quickly became Hyundai's best seller and was a major factor in keeping the company afloat in the United States.

In the United States, the Santa Fe was offered in base GL trim, mid-line GLS, and luxurious LX.

2001

In its first year in production, the Santa Fe was offered with one of two engine and transmission combinations. A fuel-efficient although underpowered 2.4-liter four cylinder engine was standard equipment and could be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. A 2.7-liter Delta V6 offered more power than the four-cylinder but was only available with the automatic. Front wheel drive was standard (with traction control optional with the V6) and 4WD was optional. A 2.0 liter Common Rail Turbo Diesel (CRTD) was offered outside the United States.